Just Car Blog

The new hot hatchbacks to come out of Germany have boggled our minds here in the USA and we are still not sure if we will ever see them on our shores in the form that Chris Harris gets to drive them in the latest On Cars video below. Naturally, as history will show you, BMWs have been a bit more fun in the twisties but the Benz AMG cars have produce monstrous amounts of shear straight-line power. Hit up Chris Harris’ latest On Cars review video below comparing the new BMW M135i hatch against the new Benz AMG A45 hatch.

To celebrate and usher in Christmas this year, BMW has taken the new M135i to the Circuit de L’Anneau de Rhin along with the Zurich Acapella Group to sing ‘Jingle Bells’ while enduring the g-forces and handling limits of the newest hot-hatch from the Bavarian Automaker. What ensues? Just a faster version of Jingle Bells and a little fun in a BMW. Enjoy the video below and Merry Christmas!

BMW’s “is” nomenclature was reserved for the brand’s higher performance vehicles slotted between the regular lineup and the prided “M” high-power vehicles. BMW plans on losing the “is” in place of an M Performance Line.

It seems that the “M” naming is getting to be a bit confusing and may eventually tarnish what is perceived to be a true M vehicle versus one with a few M-Motorsport factory options. After-all, BMW is no longer shy about slapping a M badge on just about anything these days. The M Performance Line, as reported by Car and Driver, does not follow the purist approach of the true M cars. Hopefully, with the coming change to label slightly-tuned variants of specific BMW series vehicles, it will not confuse everyone into thinking that their M Performance Line vehicle is somehow the same as the true M vehicles, such as the current 1 Series M Coupe, M3, M5 and M6.

Engines for the M Performance Line are typically used in other BMW models (non M vehicles), too. The Z4 M35i and M335i (or M435i) will be launched next year potentially carrying the M Performance Line classification. Moreover, BMW’s true M vehicles will continue to get “special treatment” in the performance and aesthetics department -not available on future M Performance Line models. The change is expected to happen with next generation vehicles in early 2015.

We’ll admit to having a bad infatuation with the new BMW M135i. We like it’s lines far better than the 1 Series M coupe’s, and it’s hatchback practicality appeals to us, too. It’s “off-limits” nature, at least in the United States, only makes it that much more alluring, since it’s human nature to want what you can’t have.

The M Performance hatchbacks will come to market with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, good for 320 horsepower in European trim. Specific details on suspension tuning are lacking, although we wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the M Performance cars were just a bit softer than the actual BMW M cars. In other words, we’d expect a 1 Series M to spank the M135i around a racetrack, but the M135i would probably be more comfortable getting there and back.

BMW promises that U.S. customers will get an M Performance 1 Series of our own, but we’d be shocked if it were anything other than a coupe. German automakers still mistakenly believe that “Americans don’t want hatchbacks,” which falls into the same line of reason as “Americans don’t buy diesels.” Build us a solid hatchback, with a stiff body structure, and we’ll buy them by the thousands. Build a quiet and trouble-free diesel engine, and price it reasonably, and we’ll snap that up, too.

Don’t take our word for it – just look at Volkswagen’s sales of hatchbacks and diesels.

BMW’s M Performance line was announced last month, and so far the sub-brand’s focus has been on turbodiesels. That changes with the Geneva debut of the M135i hatchback concept, which, for the record, we want very, very badly to see in the United States. We’re fans of the hatchback, and we question the automakers’ assumption that “Americans won’t buy hatchbacks.” We say they will, especially when they come packaged as nicely as the M135i.

BMW's M135i hot hatch. Image: BMW AG

We like the aggressive 19-inch M-branded wheels, and we appreciate the M Performance striping down the side and on the hatch. We’re confident that the M-tuned suspension will meet out expectations, as will the Twin Power Turbo 3.0-liter inline six under the hood. BMW says the engine is good for “more than” 300 horsepower, which should prove to be plenty entertaining in a car with the M135i’s dimensions.

BMW's M135i hot hatch. Image: BMW AG

It’s very likely that BMW will build and market this car in Europe, but it’s hatchback layout makes it a long shot for the U.S. market. We hope we’re wrong on this, because the car, if priced right, has tremendous potential to bring new buyers into the BMW brand. Last year’s 1-Series M was priced beyond the reach of enthusiasts on a budget, but the M135i doesn’t have to be. We say build it, and bring it to this side of the pond; as long as the car isn’t optioned out with things we don’t need (like leather seating or an automatic climate control) our checkbooks are ready and able to throw down a deposit.